By Natalie Miller '23
With three siblings running the swim and dive program, it truly is a family affair at the SMCHS pool. But the family atmosphere extends well beyond the coaching staff. From teammates celebrating one another's successes to gathering in prayer before a race, the sense of unity on the pool deck is unmistakable.
Ron and Rich Blanc are both the SMCHS varsity swim and dive head coaches at Santa Margarita. They are joined by their sister, Renee Blanc-Supernaw, who leads the girls junior varsity team. Both of the brothers were recognized in July as the 2026 California High School Swimming and Diving Coaches of the Year by the California Coaches Association for their outstanding coaching and team success.
Building a Culture of Family
When asked what goes on behind the scenes to receive this recognition, all three siblings had the same answer: the team is a family.
“If we can create an environment where the students feel like this is a family, then it all means more because they're doing this for each other,” Ron said.
Despite a resume that includes multiple CIF and State Championships, 26 consecutive Trinity League titles for the girls program, Olympic alumni and CIF Championships for both the boys and girls teams in 2026, the coaching staff is most proud of the culture it has built.
“We’re going to do this as a team… you win as a team, you lose as a team, but you're going to support each other no matter what,” said Renee.
“This is a very individual sport, too,” Rich added, “but we decided we wanted to make it as much of a team sport as possible, because that is what will make it more fun and rewarding for everybody."
The Success That Follows the Culture
Over the years, the entire coaching staff has consisted of several alumni or teachers at the school, creating that tight-knit community. “Off the top of my head,” said Renee, “I can think of over ten wedding invitations from our past athletes that have been sent to our coaching staff.”
It is the real-life elements that mean the most to the student-athletes. Ron says he makes it a point to check in with every athlete, every practice, every day. With 120 athletes in the program, that philosophy is spread throughout the entire coaching staff.
“If the kids know that you are interested in their well-being outside of the pool, then they are very much committed to doing the best that they can in the pool,” he said.
This commitment to every athlete then funnels down to the support the athletes show each other on a regular basis. At the State Championships this past season, even when they weren’t competing, the athletes showed up for each other and could be seen standing and cheering the entire time.
“They are more excited for their teammates' accomplishments than their own, and I am proud of that,” said Renee.
A Reflection of the Resume
Repeatedly winning championships was not the original goal; it became a byproduct. In 2026, the girls program won CIF and League Championships and the boys program won State, CIF, and League Championships. The boys program finished 11th last at State Championships last year after winning two consecutive state titles, which rebounded this season by returning to the top of the podium. The girls program has a long history of success with a national and state five-year streak from 2021 to 2025.
“We've had a lot of success over the years, but that wasn't really our goal at the beginning, but the success and the championships have just come from what we’ve built," said Rich.
The brothers acknowledged that their new titles of Coach of the Year also belongs to the assistant coaches, administrators and athletes at SM, with Ron adding that, “the kids are the ones that do the performance in the pool, and by them doing well, it looks good on us, we owe it to them and their hard work.”
After nearly four decades on deck, the trophies and championships have become a part of the program's identity. But the Blanc siblings say the measure of success has never been confined to the medals and titles.
“If we win a State Championship or CIF Championship, but every one of our opponents thinks our kids aren't good and kind people, then this isn't worth it,” said Ron.
Coaches of the Year may be the newest accolade on the Blanc family resume, but the legacy they are most intent on preserving isn't measured by races won. Instead, it is reflected in the family of outstanding athletes - and, more importantly, people - they have built on the pool deck.
- athletics headline